La Jolla is home to a wide range of cutting-edge fitness concepts, each with its own unique approach and each able to get you looking and feeling your best. La Jolla Today is featuring a different fitness-related business each issue. We’ll continue our series in the new year to make those resolutions easier to keep.

Personal attention is what Bird Rock Fit prides itself on and delivers.

The fitness studio, previously located in Bird Rock’s Seahaus development, offers a variety of individualized and group programs, including Zumba and cardio boxing, at its new facility at 6875 La Jolla Blvd.

Fitness programs at Bird Rock Fit are also noteworthy for their brevity: 30 minutes duration.

“Typically, the reason people give for not working out is that it takes too long,” said Ryan Halvorson, director of group training. “Everything here lasts about 30 minutes. That has been successful for our clients. They don’t have to spend an hour-plus. They get in a quick 30-minute workout and then they’re out enjoying their lives.”

Bird Rock Fit is also unique in that it is truly a neighborhood facility.

“Most of our clients come from Bird Rock, WindanSea and elsewhere in La Jolla and a lot of them walk here,” Halvorson said.

The age range is also mixed at Bird Rock Fit.

“We have people in their teens all the way into their 70s and 80s,” said Halvorson.

Halvorson said group and individual classes at the facility utilize a variety of equipment, including dumbbells and body weights, medicine balls and resistance bands. He said traditional weight-training machines aren’t used because “a lot of the people who come here spend all day sitting down at a desk. We don’t want them sitting down. We want them up and moving around.”

Bird Rock Fit’s goal, said Halvorson, is to “try to challenge as many muscle groups during the workout as possible.”

One of the more advanced workout alternatives to choose from is cardio boxing using a Thai style.

“It’s high intensity, mimicking what would happen if you were in the ring,” said Halvorson, adding Zumba dance is another free alternative offered periodically to clients. “We refer to it as our fun, party class. It’s good for metabolic affect and fits in with what we do.”

A Bird Rock Fit workout is empowering, Halvorson said.

“We give our clients complete control over the intensity of their workout,” he said. “During our workouts, people take a rest when they need to take a rest, and for as long as they need it. We’ve found this works well because people participating have varying fitness levels. This is another thing that sets us apart from boot-camp style fitness programs where, if you take a break, you’re looked at as failing.”

Bird Rock Fit is also very goal-oriented.

“We didn’t want this to be a gym in which people are fumbling around the machines trying to figure out what they are supposed to do,” Halvorson said. “We want to make sure we give everyone personalized attention, either one-on-one or in a group setting.”

The fitness studio offers memberships offering a specified number of monthly sessions or an unlimited package. There are four personal trainers who clients can sign up with for individualized training by appointment.

“It’s a facility where everyone gets to know one another,” he said. “You may walk into the gym not knowing anyone, but you will walk out knowing someone. We’re very welcoming. It’s great.”

Your friendly neighborhood fitness centerLa Jolla is home to a wide range of cutting-edge fitness concepts, each with its own unique approach and each able to get you looking and feeling your best. La Jolla Today is featuring a different ...